Azalea plant named &#39;MNIHAR017&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Azalea plant with spring and fall blooming, attractive, showy, single dark-red flowers, easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through summer, moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions; broadly-rounded and freely-branching in habit, grows well in containers, thrives in shade or sun and is hardy in Zone 7, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Rhododendron sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘MNIHAR017’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention is a new and distinct variety of evergreen Azaleaof the genus Rhododendron. This new Azalea, hereinafter referred to as‘MNIHAR017’, was discovered in 2003 in Lawrenceville, Ga. ‘MNIHAR017’originated from a planned cross hybridization in 1999 between the femaleazalea plant ‘Conleb’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581) and the male azaleaplant ‘Jay Valentine’ (unpatented) in a controlled environment inLawrenceville, Ga. The present invention has a unique combination ofblooming period, growth habit, and cold hardiness.

The new plant was first propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings in 2003 inDearing, Ga. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly bysemi-hardwood cuttings in Dearing, Ga. for over seven years. The newplant retains its distinctive characteristics and reproduces true totype in successive asexual propagations by semi-hardwood cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for the instant plant have not been applied for‘MNIHAR017’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than oneyear prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new plant when grown under normal horticulturalpractices in Dearing, Ga.

1. Spring and fall blooming;

2. Attractive, showy, dark-red flowers;

3. Numerous single flowers;

4. Easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring throughsummer;

5. Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moistureconditions;

6. Upright, globose, dense and compact in nature;

7. Grows well in containers;

8. Thrives in shade or sun; and

9. Hardy in Zone 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Azalea plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show buds, flowers, immature foliage and mature foliage. Thecolors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventionalphotographic means. The photographs are of 4-years-old plants grown infiltered shade in September in 2009 in Dearing, Ga.

FIG. 1 is a close-up showing the stems and mature foliage.

FIG. 2 shows the mature foliage and growth habit of a five-year-oldplant.

FIG. 3 is a close-up showing flower buds and immature foliage.

FIG. 4 is a close-up showing flower size, form, and color.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of Azaleabased on observations made of 4-year-old plants grown in 3-galloncontainers according to wholesale commercial production conditions underfull-sun and in an evaluation bed under semi-shade conditions inDearing, Ga. in spring, summer, and fall in 2009. The colors of thevarious plant parts are detailed with reference to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (2001).

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Ericaceae.        -   Species.—Rhododendron sp.        -   Common name.—Azalea.        -   Commercial name.—‘MNIHAR017’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The azalea plant ‘Conleb’ (U.S. Plant Pat.            No. 10,581).        -   Male parent.—The azalea plant ‘Jay Valentine’ (unpatented).-   Growth:    -   -   Form.—Upright, globose.        -   Texture.—Medium.        -   Height.—91.44 cm to 121.92 cm.        -   Width.—137.16 cm to 167.64 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Freely-branching; dense and compact in nature.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate to rapid growth rate under normal            fertilization and moisture conditions. In a period of five            years from a rooted cutting the plant reaches a height of            60.96 cm and a spread of 83.82 cm. The growth rate is            normally averages about 11.1 cm per year; the plant reaches            a height of 91.44 cm to 121.92 cm at maturity while            maintaining a dense habit due to the abundant branch            development.        -   Spring growth.—The date of initial spring growth is April 5,            followed by continuous growth through fall.        -   Life cycle.—Perennial and evergreen.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, and evergreen.        -   Shape.—Elliptic to obovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—3.5 cm.        -   Width.—1.3 cm.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate; the mid-veins and laterals are            impressed on the upper surface and the prominent on the            lower surface.        -   Immature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Matte, RHS 144A            (yellow-green) Pubescence: Scabrous with some strigose along            midrib and margin; color is RHS N155A (white) Lower surface:            Color: Matte, RHS 146C (yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose            and scabrous along midrib and margin; color is RHS N155A            (white).        -   Mature leaf.—Upper surface: Color: Semi-glossy, RHS 147A            (yellow-green) Pubescence: Scabrous, color is RHS 166D            (greyed-orange) Lower surface: Color: Matte, RHS 146B            (yellow-green) Pubescence: Scabrous, strigose along midrib;            color is RHS 164A (greyed-orange).        -   Petiole.—Length: 0.6 cm Diameter: 0.15 cm by 0.1 cm            Pubescence: Strigose with some pilose, length is 0.1 cm to            0.3 cm; color is RHS 165C (greyed-orange) and RHS N155A            (white) maturing to RHS 155C (white) Color: Begins as RHS            145A (yellow-green) and matures to RHS 146C (yellow-green).-   Stems:    -   -   Form.—Densely branched at buds.        -   Young stems (1-year old and younger).—Color: RHS 46A (red)            maturing to RHS 144A (yellow-green) Pubescence: Strigose RHS            155C (white) to RHS N167B (greyed-orange).        -   Second-year stems.—Stem and pubescence color: RHS 199B            (greyed-brown) with a low amount of strigose pubescence            present, RHS 199B (greyed-brown) in color Length: 7 cm on            average Diameter: 0.15 cm Pith: Solid and uniform Internode            length: Average 0.9 cm.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Arrangement and form.—Tight; borne in groups of two or            three, sheathed by a pair of modified leaf bracts which are            1.5 cm in length, 0.8 cm in width, persistent and RHS 147A            (yellow-green) in color.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Length (at tight bud).—1.3 cm.        -   Diameter (at tight bud).—0.6 cm.        -   Color (of scales).—Immature scales are RHS 145D            (yellow-green) and mature to RHS 146B (yellow-green) with            areas of RHS 178C (greyed-red).        -   Texture.—Pubescent; strigose pubescence RHS 165B            (greyed-orange) in color.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 0.6 cm Diameter: 0.2 cm Texture: Pubescent,            strigose pubescence that is RHS N155C (white) Color: RHS 46A            (red).        -   Calyx.—Form and arrangement: Composed of 5 sepals in a            cup-shape Length: 0.9 cm Width: 0.9 cm Color: RHS 144A            (yellow-green) with some RHS 46A (red) at base Pubescence:            Strigose and strigillose; RHS N155C (white) in color Sepals:            Shape: Lanceolate and broadly elliptical Apex: Cuspidate to            Obtuse Base: Fused; joined at base to form a cup Margin:            Entire with some lobulate Color: Upper RHS 144A            (yellow-green) with some RHS46A (red) at base, Lower RHS            144A (yellow-green) with areas of RHS 145B (yellow-green)            Length: 1.1 cm Width: 0.45 cm.-   Flowers:    -   -   Type.—Perfect, Single flowers.        -   Shape.—Open funnel-shaped.        -   Flowering habit and period.—Borne on the current season's            growth; two and a half weeks beginning in early April in            Dearing, Ga.; flowering resumes in late August and continues            until frost which can be as late as November or December.        -   Lastingness of flowers on the plant.—4 to 6 days in the sun;            4 to 7 days in the shade.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Diameter.—5.0 cm.        -   Depth.—3.8 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: 5 imbricate            petals that are fused at the base and remain fused tip to            1.5 cm Shape: Obovate Apex: Rounded Base: Fused Margin:            Entire to undulate Texture (both upper and lower surfaces):            Glabrous Length (of petals without spots): 3.5 cm Width (of            petals without spots): 2.2 cm Color: upper surfaces are RHS            46A (red) with areas of RHS N34A (orange-red); lower            surfaces are RHS 46B (red) with areas of RHS N34A            (orange-red) near the apex; the upper surface of the spots            are RHS 187B (greyed-purple) and lower surface of spots are            not visible.-   Reproductive parts:    -   -   Pistil.—Quantity and form: Single, non-petaloid Length: 3.2            cm Diameter: 0.05 cm Stigma: Color: RHS 46A (red) Diameter:            0.15 cm Style color: RHS 47B (red) Ovary: Pubescent, Pilose            RHS N155A (white), with 5 locules.        -   Stamens.—Number: 5 to 6 per flower; non-petaloid with some            slightly petaloid Length: 2.5 cm Color: RHS 47B (red)            Anther: RHS 187A (greyed-purple); 0.25 cm in length by 0.1            cm in width Pollen: Abundant; RHS 155D (white).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—The capsule matures in about 6 months in Dearing,            Ga. and the fruit set is low and contains about 100-300            non-winged seeds.        -   Length.—0.6 cm.        -   Width.—0.5 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 146B (yellow-green).

CULTURE

‘MNIHAR017’ grows well in a wide range of conditions and tolerates sunto shade. ‘MNIHAR017’ prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich inorganic matter and responds well to mulching and medium applications offertilizer. ‘MNIHAR017’ does best in soil with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 and ispropagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through thesummer. Azaleas root in five to six weeks with high 80% plus percentageof rooting, tissue culture is also an effective means of propagation forazaleas.

DISEASES AND INSECTS

Lace bugs, root weevils, and spider mites can be a problem. Fungal andbacterial pathogens have not been observed, but no resistance testinghas been performed and no claim to abnormal resistance to pathogens canbe made.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

In Table 1, the ‘MNIHAR017’ is compared to parental varieties ‘Conleb’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581) and ‘Jay Valentine’ (unpatented) and liststhe differences between the varieties.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘MNIHAR017’ ‘Conleb’ ‘Jay Valentine’ Plant Height91.44 cm to 121.92 cm to 121.92 cm (Mature) 121.92 cm 152.4 cm FlowerDiameter 5 cm 6.5 cm 6.25 cm to 7.62 cm Flower Form Single Single tosemi- Single double Flower Color Dark Red Red Deep Red Bloom PeriodApril and late April and late April August until frost July until frostHardy Zone 7 7 7 Stamen Number 5 to 6 0 to 9 5 Stamen Type PetaloidPetaloid and Petaloid Non-petaloid

When ‘MNIHAR017’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Roblen’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 16,248), ‘MNIHAR017’ has a broader growth habit (60.96 cmand a spread of 83.82 cm in five years) than ‘Roblen’ which has a heightof 91.44 cm and a spread of 60.96 cm in six years. Additionally,‘MNIHAR017’ produces dark-red flowers, while ‘Roblen’ has bright redflowers.

I claim:
 1. A new variety of Azalea plant named ‘MNIHAR017’ as hereinshown and described.